Closer To You (Tales of the Sweet Magnolia Book 1)

by McIntyre, Amanda

  “Are you in any pain?” She closed her eyes as he stroked her jaw.

  “Horrible,” he whispered and, leaning toward her, pressed his mouth to the spot below her ear. His lips left a trail of fire down the curve of her neck. His mouth neared hers, and though she ached at the thought of his kiss, the risk of breaking her heart prompted her to turn her face away. “House rules, sorry. No kissing on the lips. It’s too—” She swallowed and dared to look up at him. “Personal.” Lilly lifted her finger, tracing the delicate shape of his full lower lip.

  “You don’t know how sorry I am about this.”

  Jake tipped his head, regarding her with pure wickedness. Her admission gave him the power to know the temptation he presented. How was it that it a preacher’s son always knew how best to be wicked? “I’m already breaking one rule, what’s one more?”

  Lil dropped her gaze from his, knowing that in the next breath, she would no doubt lose her heart to him. It had already started the night they met. It was incomprehensible that fate would play such a cruel joke on her, but the pain of losing him one day would be far worse to bear if she allowed herself to fall for him. If she could convince him of this one little lie, she might be able to live with herself. “You’re breaking your rule, not the Magnolia’s.”

  His gaze narrowed on her. “Okay, we’ll play by the Magnolia’s rules. But I’m going to have to ask you to keep what happens between us—just between us. No one can know about this. Agreed?”

  She understood clearly what he was saying. Lillian closed her eyes, the sting of his remark hitting closer to her heart than she was prepared for. “I assume this has to do with politics?” She forced her gaze to his.

  “You know it does. It’s my future, Lil.” His voice sounded so reasonable; it was hard for her to understand why it should make her so angry. She had done massive research on the bordellos of the Old West and the parameters were quite clear. Stay detached and don’t confuse emotions with sex. Show the customer a good time, get paid, say goodbye, and move on.

  She didn’t want to have to say goodbye to Jake.

  Lilly pushed down the lump in her throat. She had no idea how long this fantasy would last, and if it was forever, what might happen to either of them? This was a brutal time. Hadn’t she just experienced that recently? How close had she or Jake come to being killed? The pain of keeping his secret, as much as it hurt, was worth the pain of having this time with him.

  She moved the bowl to the nightstand and sat beside him on the edge of the bed. “Of course, it will be our secret, Sheriff.” With her intent as clear as his, Lil undid the two pearl buttons holding the thin camisole covering her breasts. Watching his eyes darken with arousal, she slipped one lacey strap over her shoulder and followed through with the other, letting the fabric fall around her waist.

  “Christ, Lil.” He spoke in an awed whisper. “You’re so damn beautiful.”

  The tenderness nearly broke her heart, and she steeled against it, telling herself that she could pretend it didn’t matter. That she could be a free-spirited soiled dove.

  She smiled at the comment, which seemed innocent for a man of his age, and though he was indeed a preacher’s son, she found it hard to believe that he’d never seen a naked woman before. The alternative explanation, of course, was one she didn’t want to believe—he was telling the truth. That would mean that he really cared about her, and she refused to entertain the thought. No, this was something, for whatever reason—perhaps curiosity, maybe a vendetta against his father—that Jake had to get out of his craw. She just happened to be the one he chose.

  Lilly shoved aside the excuses, convincing herself that nothing else mattered now. Whatever magic brought them together, and for however long, she intended to make the most of the time they had, creating powerful enough memories to last for the both of them.

  She squeezed the cloth in her hand, leaning forward to glide the moist rag over the firm plane of his chest. From shoulder to shoulder, she felt his muscles bunch and give beneath her hand, felt his eyes on hers, his warm breath fanning against her cheek. She moved the cloth over his shoulder, drawing him forward, washing the back of his neck. He held himself upright, pushing against the mattress with his fists.

  Lil followed behind the path of the cloth, pressing her lips against his skin, lingering to breathe in his scent, committing it to memory. Her breasts, unencumbered, skimmed across his skin, bronzed by the sun. She released a sigh when his lips touched her shoulder. Her body came alive, and she fought losing her heart to him at that very moment. She tried to detach herself from what he was doing to her, to ignore that with each gentle kiss on her flesh she was losing another piece of her heart. The scent of rain filtered through the window, and she told herself that was the reason for the gooseflesh rising on her heated skin. This is only sex, she reminded herself. Lil brushed back the shock of raven-colored hair from his forehead and dabbed the cloth gently, cleansing the dried blood from around the wound. His hand rested on her thigh. He lowered his lids, releasing a quiet sigh. “I didn’t think this would feel this good.”

  “I want you to feel good,” Lil spoke softly. “I want you to trust me.”

  He opened his eyes, his warm, coffee-colored gaze searching hers. “That’s not the issue, Lil.”

  She crooked her brow. “That’s good to know, because it’s your turn, Sheriff.” She held the rag out just as he’d done to her.

  “Lil….” There was uncertainty etched on his face.

  She could see that he struggled between needs, like any man, and his scruples. The truth was she understood the battle he fought inside. But they were consenting adults, driven by a desire neither fully understood. Lil took his hand and pressed his rag-covered palm to her breast.

  Lil saw his throat bobble in a hard swallow. “Lil.” The quiet reverence in his voice twisted her heart. “You don’t know how many times I’ve thought about this, dreamt of touching you, pleasing you.” He looked up at her. “What kind of man does that make me?”

  She took the rag from him and smoothed her palm over the sheets covering him. “It makes you a man…a man that I want to touch me.”

  “Come here.” He moved one leg so she could sit straddled on the other.

  “Does it hurt much?” she asked, pulling her skirts around her hips.

  He looked up at her and smiled. “It’s worth it.” His rough calloused hands moved over her skin, beneath her skirt. The sheet separating their bodies did not disguise his hardening erection. She draped her arms over his shoulders, allowing his exploration, welcoming his lips closing over her breasts, tight with arousal.

  The warm, gentle friction of his unshaven cheek brushed over her flesh, rendering her helpless with desire. He grasped her shoulders, pressing his mouth to her throat and then flopped back on the pillows, staring up at her. “Lil, I’ve got to tell you that I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you right now.” He chuckled. “But I’m fearful that moving too much might just cause Doc’s handiwork to come undone.”

  She leaned forward and gently placed a kiss to his forehead. “We can’t have that.” She pressed another kiss on the dimple in his chin and followed down the curve of his throat, breathing deep his all-male scent. “I intend to make it all better, you’ll see.” Easing the sheet further down his torso, she left a trail of kisses over his muscled flesh.

  “This is not making things better, sweetheart. This is making things….” He gasped as she drew his tight nipple between her teeth. “Much, much worse.”

  Though she didn’t know if this would be the only time she ever had with him, she was sure as hell going to make sure he didn’t forget it. She drew the sheet down, revealing his long, muscular legs. He was engorged, hard and proud. There was a certain amount of pride that she’d been the one to do this to him and now she aimed to finish the job. She held his gaze and leisurely trailed both hands down his chest, enjoying the smoky desire flickering in his gaze. With a smile that was purely wicked, she wrapped her
fingers around him and his hand clamped over her wrist.

  “What are you doing, Lil?” he asked.

  “Relax, Jake. I promise you’re going to feel much better soon.”

  He stared at her, his expression bordering between excitement and concern. It was a lot to ask a man like Jake to relinquish control. “I want you to trust me.” If he agreed, that was all the incentive she needed. “Do you?”

  Jake grabbed her arm, pulling her to him in a fiery kiss that left Lil weak in the knees. She licked her lips, her heart racing against her ribs. “You’re a naughty boy.” She wagged her finger at him with a smile. The fact that he broke the rule should have bothered her, angered her, really, but she was a prisoner to the sexual tension building between them. She took the cloth and wiped down his thighs, enjoying the strength of his sinewy flesh, imagining the lucky saddle between his legs that he rode daily.

  He laid his head back, closed his eyes, and relaxed, empowering Lilly even more. She slid the rag down his hard shaft, tossing it aside as she wrapped her fingers deftly around him.

  A soft strangled moan escaped his lips.

  “I have a confession to make.” Lil ran her palm over his rigid washboard stomach as the other stroked, wanting to give to him every morsel of pleasure she could afford—save the most important—her heart. She lowered her head, taking his tip between her lips, her tongue flicking sensuously over his smooth salty flesh. She adored the taste of his skin on her tongue. Her hands were wet from the cloth making the slick friction sweeter.

  “God, Lilly—” His hands fisted the sheets, his face turning crimson from the strain.

  Aroused by watching him she fought the urge to climb on him and feel him buried deep inside, but she continued her ministrations, determined to give him comfort.

  “Lilly. I can’t hold on—” He growled, his hips moving with her hand. “Ouch….” She stopped, holding her breath.

  “God don’t stop,” he breathed heavily. “Don’t stop, please."

  She grew wet, turned on by the power she wielded over him. His flesh grew hot beneath her hand, her tongue teasing without mercy. With a final thrust of his hips, he arched his back, and a primal scream tore from his mouth.

  She’d forgotten about the buttock muscles flexing with his climax.

  ***

  He felt her climbing his body, hovering over him, her eyes wide and in the next instant her mouth was on his, stifling his exuberant groan. So much for secrecy. They could have heard his scream in the next town a hundred miles away. He was no novice having to, now and again, take matters into his own hands, but gawd almighty, he’d never had a woman take the reins. Her lips, soft and sweet, still tasted of him as they moved unyieldingly over his. She was heaven and hell, devil and angel, and Jake wrapped his arms around her, determined never to let her go. To hell with rules—his or hers. He laced his tongue with hers with an insatiable hunger, wanting to capture forever what had transpired between them, but his brain started thinking. Logic cautioned that it was unwise and clearly what happened between them should never happen again. The risks, too many to name, were too great. People like his father could make life a living hell for Lil and the folks here at the Magnolia. That thought tossed cold water on his libido, and he cupped her face, gently kissing her one last time. He held her close, committing to memory the delicate flush in her cheeks, her lips soft and swollen from their heated kisses.

  “Lilly.” He pressed her forehead to his and closed his eyes.

  “I’m sorry, I forgot about your injury.”

  He chuckled quietly. “That was the last thing on my mind.”

  A soft blush crept pink into her cheeks. “Then it did help some?”

  He took a deep breath and licked his lips, tasting her on his tongue. Jesus, he was getting hard just thinking about her mouth. “Aw, sure Lil. It was fine. Just fine, thanks.”

  She arched her brow. “Fine?”

  “You couldn’t tell? Lil, I’m sure you’re a well-known expert in this. You don’t need me tell you that you’re very good at what you do.”

  “Of course.” She escaped from him, scooting off the bed as she adjusted her clothes. His arms felt empty and part of him wanted to ask her to stay a while longer, but he knew better not to.

  “You need new linens.” She spoke while focusing on refastening her buttons.

  He smiled, feeling suddenly awkward, and reached down to draw the sheets over his lower body. Had he said something wrong? The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, but they both knew that no matter how much they might be attracted to each other physically…well, it just wouldn’t work.

  “I’ll have Paddy and Cook bring up a wash tub. I don’t suspect it would harm you any to soak your stitches in some warm water.” With a quick brush of her hand through her hair, Lil checked her reflection in the mirror. She looked over her shoulder and flashed him a smile, though the joy of it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “I’ll go see to your supper. You’ll probably be hungry after you’ve rested.”

  Food? She could think about food at a time like this? “Lilly? Do you want to talk about what happened?” Maybe he hadn’t made himself clear. Maybe her behavior was entirely normal for a woman of her position.

  “I’m just dandy, Sheriff. You should rest. I’ll have one of the girls bring up your food tray.”

  If it was a different time, a different place, he’d pull her back into bed and give her the same pleasure as she had given to him, but reason argued how the scandal of it would spread like wildfire to his political competition. He settled instead on following her example. Leave the emotions out of it. But a seed of guilt planted itself in the back of his brain, and the fact that when he’d been giving Lil all the reasons that they couldn’t be together, Jake had forgotten to tell his heart not to get involved. And yet, Lilly seemed far less affected and that bothered him on a level that he didn’t want to examine. His eyes drifted shut. Weariness overtook him as he heard the sound of the piano and Lil’s sweet voice drifting through the house. His last conscience thought was that Lil was right, he sure as hell felt a lot less tense.

  Chapter Five

  Lillian scolded herself for crying. She’d read enough to know that women in the parlor houses and bordellos were not looked upon in the same way as other women. They weren’t the women you thought of settling down and raising a family with. Many died at an early age due to diseases or at the hands of notoriously abusive men. Men came to such places for one thing—companionship for the evening. And when they laid their money down, it was the woman that made sure that whatever entertainment her client desired, from few moments of passion to a day of eccentric pleasures, was available. It was the Madam’s duty to see they got their money’s worth.

  Gratefully, Jake had not broached the subject of money with her. As it was, he made it clear both before in his explanation and after by his comment, that he knew where the line was drawn between them. Lil chided herself for being so naïve. Why had she assumed that she’d be able to handle the mysteries of seduction in the past any better than in her own time?

  Her own time. That was a concept that she’d managed to tuck away over the past few weeks, with all the responsibilities she’d taken on. How long would fate keep her there? Could she truly survive being a Madam, likely having to move on in another year or so simply to survive? The dangers, the disease, having to forge her way alone—true, just as she’d been doing in her former life—but there were no benefits afforded to the modern day woman. It was a rough time and Lil it dawned on her slowly that she may well have to face it alone. Dammit. Lillian brushed her hand over her cheek, wiping away a tear. There was no time for wallowing in self-pity. How could she face Jake again, when even the thought of him stirred up all manner of pain and confusion inside of her? Lil needed time to steel herself against the feelings for him that had taken her by surprise. There was no question that she was attracted to him in the worst possible way and given the flash fire that had ignited between them, she wa
nted to believe he felt the same.

  The trouble was that flash fires were normally just that—an instantaneous combustion that quickly fizzled out, leaving destruction and broken hearts in its wake. She twirled the ruby jeweled necklace between her fingers and considered whether a lifetime of loneliness was comparable to giving her heart freely to be broken.

  A gentle tap sounded on her door. She’d moved down the hall distancing herself as far from Jake as possible in the house. “Miss Lilly? I took Sheriff Jake his supper like you asked me to.”

  “Thank you, Nellie.” She laced up the corset-style placket on the bodice of the dress. Its effect enhanced her bust, much the same as a modern day push-up bra. The warm red ruby gem lay nestled in the valley of her cleavage, and she touched it remembering her few moments of unbridled passion earlier.

  She had the sudden urge to plunk out a bluesy he-done-you-wrong honky-tonk song—maybe several and liberally laced with a good shot or two of whatever Paddy was serving. “Warm up the piano, Nellie. We’re going to rock this place tonight.” And so, belting out every song she knew from Billy Joel to Boston, Lil sang long and loud and slightly off key as the night wore on. She garnered more than her share of strange looks, but as long as Paddy kept the drinks coming, Lil kept the piano smokin’—all in an effort to purge Sheriff Jake Sloan from her soul.

  In all fairness, the Kentucky Bourbon helped a great deal.

  ***

  It had been three days since Lilly had seen Jake, two since she awakened with a headache the size of Carson City. She’d spent all day in bed, the shades drawn and refused to acknowledge the notes that Jake had tried to deliver via Nellie. What part of no did he not understand? As much as she guessed he wanted to maintain the “friendship” he claimed they had, the truth of the matter was that kiss had changed everything. It hurt like hell to lie to him because she was lying to herself, as well. Still, there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. He had his life, his political aspirations, and he was a good man with a promising future. She was the Madam of a house of cards, liquor, and loose women with little else but an extensive piano repertoire and no idea of what her future held. Her only hope was that with Doc coming by to check on Jake, he’d give him a clean bill of health to leave and she could boot him out of her bed and get on with her life— whatever that may be.